Starting a Business?

Franchisee: Peter Katz, 52Franchise: The Counter, a build-your-own burger chain with 18 locations in the U.S., Australia and IrelandNumber of franchises: Four in Northern California owned by Katz and partners

Before franchising, Peter Katz: Worked in the software industry for 20 years and ran sales and marketing for a number of companies and startups

Why he chose The Counter: Most other franchises seemed formulaic and prefabricated and didn't offer anything unique to customers. "[But] I saw a lot of myself in The Counter," says Katz, who became the restaurant's first franchisee. "I believed in the concept. I believed it was different."

Startup costs: $700,000 to $1 million per unit for new store openings, plus the cost of Northern California territory rights

Creating a MAP will take no more than an hour of your time every month and will keep the lines of communication open, ensuring relationships with investors remain strong, and ultimately helping early-stage startups succeed.